Electronic fabric with incorporated chip and interconnect

ABSTRACT

A system comprises an article comprising one or more fabric layers, a plurality of electronic devices, each being incorporated into or onto one of the one or more fabric layers, and one or more communication links between two or more of the plurality of electronic devices. Each of the plurality of electronic devices can comprise a flexible substrate coupled to the fabric layer, one or more metallization layers deposited on the flexible substrate, and one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the one or more metallization layers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for assemblingelectronic devices for incorporation with fabric or other flexiblestructures.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices have become ubiquitous. For example, computingdevices, and in particular portable computing devices such as smartphones and tablet computing devices, have become nearly universallyused. However, current portable computing devices are limited by theirform factor such that highly specialized applications cannot beperformed without specialized equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of an example system comprising a pluralityof electronic devices incorporated into or onto an article having afabric layer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic device coupledto a fabric layer.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic device coupledto a first fabric layer and sandwiched between the first fabric layerand a second fabric layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

This disclosure describes electronics devices that can be incorporatedinto fabrics or other flexible substrates or structures. This disclosurefurther describes resulting products that include a fabric incorporatedwith one or more electronic devices to form a “smart” fabric. Theelectronics devices and smart fabrics can be used for a variety ofapplications. In an example, the electronics devices and smart fabricscan comprise a wearable device, such as in human clothing, for variousfunctions including, but not limited to, navigation, health monitoring,security, computing (such as for specific personal or professionaltasks, social networking, file management), notification to the wearer(e.g., traffic alerts, local weather reports), or gesture or bodyposition recognition.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual system-level view of electronic devicesincorporated into a fabric to form a smart fabric. FIG. 1 shows anexample system 100 comprising a wearable article of clothing, such as ashirt 102, with one or more electronic devices 104 and 106A-106Nincorporated into or onto the fabric of the shirt 102. In an example, afirst device 104 of the system 100 comprises at least one centralcontroller 104 configured to communicate with the other electronicsdevices 106A-106N. The other electronics devices 106A-106N can compriseany other type of electronics device that may be desirable for theparticular application for which the system 100 is configured. Examplesof electronics devices 106A-106N include, but are not limited to,sensors, display devices (e.g., a computer monitor), computer inputdevices (e.g., a keyboard, touch screen, voice recognition device orsystem, or a gesture recognition device or sensor), communicationcomponents or devices (e.g., antennae, transmission devices, orreceiving devices, such as wireless radios), and a power device (e.g., abattery or other electronic power device configured to electronicallypower one or more of the central controller 104 and the otherelectronics devices 106A-106N).

Examples of sensors that can be included as one or more of theelectronics devices 106A-106N include, but are not limited to: biometricsensors such as heart rate sensors, body temperature sensors, orrespiration sensors; orientation or position sensors such asaccelerometers or gyroscopic sensors; location sensors such as globalpositioning system (GPS) devices or elevation sensors (for example,barometric elevation sensors); and environmental sensors such asexternal temperature sensors and humidity sensors.

The central controller 104 can comprise a processor configured tocontrol or provide instructions to the other electronics devices106A-106N. The central controller 104 can also include a memory and acommunication module, such as a telemetry module for wirelesscommunication with one or more of the other devices 106A-106N or asystem bus for wired communication with one or more of the other devices106A-106N. The processor of the central controller 104 can execute oneor more instructions, which can be stored on the memory. The centralcontroller 104 can transmit instructions to one or more of theelectronics devices 106A-106N, such as via the communication module. Thecentral controller 104 can also receive information from one or more ofthe other devices 106A-106N. In an example, the central controller 104may not be the only controller in the system 100, but rather cancomprise a plurality of controllers 104 working together orindependently to control the system 100.

In an example, the system 100 can act as a computing system with thecentral controller 104 acting as the central processing unit and theother electronics device 106A-106N can act as one or more peripheraldevices of the computing system that can include input and outputdevices and other peripheral devices each having certain functionalitydepending on the desired functionality of the system 100. In this way,the wearable system 100 can be as varied as the nearly limitless numberof computing systems that have been and can be configured.

The central controller 104 can communicate with one or more of the otherelectronics devices 106A-106N through one or more hard cablecommunication links 108A-108N that are incorporated into or onto thefabric of the shirt 102. In addition to or alternative to cableconnection, one or more of the other electronics devices 106A-106N canbe configured to communication with the central controller 104 throughone or more wireless communication links 110A-110N, such as a WiFiconnection, a Bluetooth connection, or another standard or proprietarycommunication protocol. In an example, the one or more centralcontrollers 104 and the electronic devices 106A-106N can be configuredwith a common protocol for communication between different types ofcomponents, such as a standard communication protocol.

The placement of each particular electronic device 104, 106A-106N withinor upon the fabric article, e.g., the piece of clothing such as theshirt 102 shown in FIG. 1, can depend on the desired function of thedevice or the physical characteristics of the particular electronicdevice 104, 106A-106N, such as the footprint area of the device, thethickness of the device, the rigidity of the device (e.g., the abilityof the device to bend or flex with the movement of the fabric), or therelative placement of the electronic components of the device 104,106A-106N. For example, if a device has a very small footprint (e.g.,less than ₁₃ mm²) and a very small thickness such that a user isunlikely to notice the electronic device, then it can be placedsubstantially anywhere on or within the fabric article. Similarly, ifthe device has a larger footprint or thickness but is substantiallyflexible along with the fabric, the device can potentially be placedanywhere on the fabric article with a sufficiently large surface area toaccommodate the device. Also, if the device has packaged components, thedevice (or at least the packaged components) can be placed in a locationof the fabric where there is expected to be one or more of minimal wearand tear, minimal flexing, minimal shock or vibration, and where thereare multiple layers of cloth.

In some examples, one or more of the electronic devices 104, 106A-106Ncan have a relatively large footprint or thickness and can besubstantially rigid, e.g., because of the makeup of the electroniccomponents or the metallization layers that comprise the electronicdevice (described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3).Rigid devices can be positioned on or within the fabric article at alocation that is already at least one of thicker, cushioned, and morerigid than just the fabric of the article. For example, when the system100 includes an article of clothing such as a shirt 102 or pants (notshown), a rigid electronic device can be incorporated into or onto asewn-on or adhered patch (e.g., a logo patch), decorative stitching,other decorative aspects (e.g., sewn-on or adhered appliques such assequins, beading, and the like), a fastening device (e.g., a zipper, abutton, a clasp, a clip, and the like), a seam, a pocket, or a shoulderarea (e.g., a shirt with shoulder padding). For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the central controller 104 is incorporated into or on a shoulderarea of the shirt 102, and another device 106C is incorporated into oronto the other shoulder area of the shirt 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 can be configured to beused as a fitness monitoring of a user. The system 100 can include apiece of clothing such as the shirt 102 to be worn by the user, acentral controller 104 and a variety of additional devices 106A-106N.The other devices 106 can include a heart rate monitor 106D, a GPSdevice 106C, and an input and display device 106M (e.g., a touchscreendevice), a power supply device 106E (e.g., a battery device 106E), anexternal communication device 106F (e.g., a WiFi or Bluetooth radio106F), and one or more motion or position sensors 106A, 106B, 106G, 106N(e.g., accelerometers or other positional or motion sensors). Thecentral controller 104 and one or more of the other devices 106 can beincorporated onto or into the fabric of the shirt 102, for example asdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3. The central controller104 can be configured, for example with software programming or firmwareconfiguration, to receive data from one or more of the sensors, toreceive data or instructions from the input and display device 106M, andto send data to be displayed on the input and display device 106M.

For example, the central controller 104 can receive heart beatinformation from the heart rate monitor 106D, positional informationfrom the GPS device 106C, and motion or position data from the motion orposition sensors 106A, 106B, 106G, 106N. The central controller 104 canbe configured to manipulate the received data and to provide informationto be displayed on a touchscreen of the input and display device 106M.For example, the central controller 104 and the input and display device106M can be configured to display to the wearer of the shirt 102information that can be desirable for fitness monitoring, such ascurrent heart rate, distance traveled since the start of a workout,elevation (e.g., if one of the motion or position sensors 106A, 106B,106G, 106N is an elevation sensor, such as a barometric sensor), currentor average pace, etc. The input and display device 106M can also bemanipulated by the user/wearer to control what is displayed.

In an alternative example, the system 100 of FIG. 1 can be configured asa portable general computing device that is incorporated into the shirt102. In such a configuration, the system 100 can act as a wearablecomputer with similar functionality to that of a tablet computer or amobile smartphone device. For example, the central controller 104 canact as a central processing unit, memory, etc. of the system 100. Theinput and display device 106M can include a touchscreen that can be usedto enter information or commands from the user/wearer and to displayinformation to the user/wearer. The other devices can include a GPSdevice 106C, a power supply 106E (e.g., a battery device 106E), and aradio 106G for communication with an external device (such as a WiFiradio, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) radio, an enhanceddata rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radio, a universal mobiletelecommunications systems (UMTS) radio, a long term evolution (LTE)radio, an LTE Advanced radio, a code division multiple access (CDMA)radio, a enhanced voice-data only (EVDO) radio, a worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX) radio), or any other radiotype that can be used for networking of a local or wide-area network).The other devices shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., devices 106A, 106B, 106F, and106N) can either be one or more peripheral devices with functionalityspecific to a particular application for which the system 100 isdesigned, or can be omitted from the system 100 if one or more of thedevices are not needed.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of an electronic device 200 that can beincorporated into or onto a fabric substrate 202, such as a piece offabric in an article of clothing. The device 200 can be used, forexample, as one of the electronic devices 104, 106A-106N of the system100 described above with respect to FIG. 1.

The device 200 can include one or more electronic components 204 mountedto a flexible substrate 206. The one or more electronic components 204can comprise one or more semiconductor chips or dies that are used toprovide for the electronic functionality of the device 200. One or moremetallization layers 208 can be deposited onto the flexible substrate206, for example by any of the methods of depositing metallizationlayers known in the art, to provide for interconnection within and amongthe one or more electronic components 204, for input/outputcommunication to and from the one or more electronic components 204, andto provide a power and ground connection to the one or more electroniccomponents 204. In an example, the metallization layers 208 can also bemade to be flexible along with the flexible substrate, for example bybeing made to be very thin metallization layers that are flexible to acertain point. The metallization layers 208 can be made using standardflexible packaging techniques that are known in the art of electronicspackaging. Flexible packaging techniques that can be used to deposit themetallization layers 208 are described, for example, in Zhang et al.,“Fast Flexible Electronics Using Transferrable Silicon Nanomembranes,”J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., Vol. 45, No. 14, p. 143001 (2012); Nomura etal., “Room-Temperature Fabrication of Transparent Flexible Thin-FilmTransistors Using Amorphous Oxide Semiconductors,” Nature, vol. 432, p.488 (2004); Liu et al., “Large-Scale Integration of SemiconductorNanowires for High-Performance Flexible Electronics,” ACS Nano, vol. 6,Issue 3, p. 1888 (2012); and Takahashi et al., “Parallel Array InAsNanowire Transistors for Mechanically Bendable, Ultrahigh FrequencyElectronics,” ACS Nano, vol. 4, Issue 10, p. 5855 (2010), the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The one or more electronic components 204 can be mounted to the flexiblesubstrate and the metallization layers 208 using any technique known inthe art for mounting electronic components to a substrate, such as flipchip or wirebond processing techniques. The one or more electroniccomponents 204 can be molded if desired, for example to provide formechanical protection or for environmental sealing.

The flexible substrate 206 can comprise a thin polymer layer that iscapable of flexing, such as a polyimide substrate, a polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) substrate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate,a polycarbonate substrate, or thin glass substrates (such as CorningWILLOW GLASS). In an example, the flexible substrate 206 can comprise aKapton film (e.g., poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide)). Theflexible substrate 206 can also include an adhesive applied to a surfacethat is to be adhered to the fabric substrate 202. For example, theflexible substrate 206 can be in the form of a tape, such as a KaptonTape, having an adhesive, such as a silicone-based adhesive.

The fabric substrate 202 can comprise a portion of an article comprisingfabric, such as an article of clothing, upholstery of a piece offurniture, or a piece of fabric in a bag or other piece of luggage. Inan alternative example, the fabric substrate 202 can be another type offlexible substrate other than a fabric, such as a flexible polymersubstrate.

The flexible substrate 206 can be coupled to the fabric substrate 202,such as via stitching, an adhesive, or welding. The flexible substrate206 can be in the form of a tape that can be adhered to the fabricsubstrate 202. In an example, the flexible substrate 206 can be coupledto the fabric substrate 206 so that the flexible substrate 206 and thefabric substrate 202 can move together. For example, as shown in FIG. 3,the flexible substrate 206 can be coupled to the fabric substrate 202 sothat the flexible substrate 206 and the fabric substrate 202 flex orbend together substantially as a single layer of material.

Each individual electronic component 204 can have differentfunctionality, and thus each individual electronic component 204 canhave a different die and substrate design. However, in an example, theform factor for input/output connections and power/ground connectionscan be a standard or uniform form factor regardless of the individualfunctionality, die design, and substrate design of the particularelectronic component 204, e.g., with the number of input/outputconnections or power connections, and the location of each particularinput/output or power connection being standardized, whether aparticular device utilized the entire functionality of the standardizedarray or not. The standard form factor can provide for the differentfunctionalities of each of the electronic components 204 to beintegrated easily together with little or no setup required. In such anexample, because the signaling protocol and the input/output maps (e.g.,of a ball grid array) for all electronic components 204 are the same,the interconnect design of the metallization layers 208 and thecorresponding ball out configuration of the overall electronic device200 can be very similar, or even identical, for all electroniccomponents 204.

The one or more electronic components 204 can be mounted, e.g., surfacemounted, on top of the flexible substrate 206 and the metallizationlayers 208. The metallization layers 208 can provide interconnects thatcan allow the electronic components 204 to communicate with each otheror with an external electronic device, such as a central processingunit, and can also provide power/ground connections for each flexiblesubstrate 206 and metallization layer 208 combination.

Alternative to or in addition to surface mounting, the flexiblesubstrate 206 and the metallization layers 208 can include one or moreconnectors into which the one or more electronic components 204 can besocketed or snapped into. A releasable connecter, a releasable socket,or a releasable snapping configuration can provide for betterinterchangeability of the one or more electronic components 204, e.g.,to provide for replacement of a damaged electronic component 204 or tochange the functionality of a particular electronic component 204, e.g.,to upgrade the electronic component 204.

In an example, the electronic device 200 can be configured to operatesubstantially independent of other devices, including independently of apower source. In such an example, one or more of the electroniccomponents 204 can include a battery to provide electrical power to theelectronic device 200. The battery can be connected to the metallizationlayers 208 and the flexible substrate 206 in the same way as the otherelectronic components 204. In an example, the battery can be arechargeable battery that is rechargeable by one or more of wireless(e.g., inductive) charging; wired charging (e.g., with a port for apower cord); motion-capture charging (e.g., by capturing kinetic energyfrom the motion of electronic device 200 or the fabric substrate 202,for example if the electronic device 200 is incorporated into or onto anarticle of human clothing); and solar charging (e.g., using aphotovoltaic cell).

At least a portion of the electronic device 200 can be coated with acoating 210 that can protect electronic portions of the device 200, suchas the one or more electronic components 204, the metallization layers208, and any other electrically conducting structures such as contactpads, wires, traces, and the like (not shown). The coating 210 can beconfigured to provide mechanical protection to semiconductor chips,circuits, and packages that make up the one or more electroniccomponents 204 and to the structures of the metallization layers 208 andthe other electrically conducting structures. The coating 210 can beconfigured to provide for environmental protection for the device 200,such as by providing a seal to prevent or reduce the ingress of moistureor other corrosive materials into the one or more electronic components204, the metallization layers 208, or the electrical conductors. Thecoating 210 can be applied to any portion of the device 200 that isdesired to be mechanically protected, environmentally sealed, or both.The coating 210 can be applied to all exposed surfaces of the electronicdevice 200 (e.g., any surface that is not in contact or covered by theflexible substrate 206), e.g., as shown in FIG. 3. The coating 210 canalso be applied to only select portions of the one or more electroniccomponents 204, the metallization layers 208, and the electricalconducting structures.

The coating 210 can be deposited by any method known in the art fordepositing mechanically protecting and/or environmentally sealingmaterials to electronic devices, including, but not limited to, spraycoating, dip coating, spin coating, chemical vapor deposition, andphysical vapor deposition. Examples of materials that can be used toform the coating 210 include, but are not limited to, poly(p-xylylene)(Parylene) coatings, such as a chemical vapor deposited parylenecoating, with or without fluorinated (Teflon) species; polystyrene (PS)coatings; polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) propylene coatings;ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer (EMMA) coatings; polyether etherketone (PEEK) coatings; nylon coatings; phenolic epoxy coatings;ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE, such as Tefzel) coatings; andcoatings comprising post-consumer commingled polymer.

In an example, the electronic device 200 can be enclosed or encased bytwo or more layers of fabric. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, theelectronic device can be coupled to a first fabric substrate 202 on afirst side of the electronic device 200 (e.g., on the bottom side shownin FIG. 3). A second fabric substrate 212 can be coupled with the firstfabric substrate 202 to form a pocket 214 between the fabric substrates202, 212 in which the electronic device 200 can be located. Theplurality of fabric layers or substrates 202, 212 can be coupledtogether by standard textile techniques, such as stitching or adhesive.Once the electronic device 200 is positioned at its desired locationalong the fabric substrates 202, 212, the pocket 214 can be formed bystitching or adhering the fabric substrates 202, 212 together to encloseor encapsulate the electronic device 200 to hold the electronic device200 in place.

To better illustrate the method and apparatuses disclosed herein, anon-limiting list of embodiments is provided here:

EMBODIMENT 1 can include subject matter (such as an apparatus, a device,a method, or one or more means for performing acts), such as can includean electronic device comprising a flexible substrate configured to bemountable to a fabric layer, one or more metallization layers depositedon the flexible substrate, and one or more electronic componentselectrically coupled to the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of EMBODIMENT 1, to optionally include a coating applied over atleast one of one or more of the electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of EMBODIMENT 2, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to the one or moreelectronic components.

EMBODIMENT 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 2 and 3, to optionally include thecoating being configured to provide environmental protection to the oneor more electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-4, to optionallyinclude a coating applied over at least a portion of an exposed surfaceor exposed surfaces of the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of EMBODIMENT 5, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to at least the portion ofthe exposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 5 and 6, to optionally include thecoating being configured to provide environmental protection to at leastthe portion of the exposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one ormore metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 3-7, to optionallyinclude the coating being applied over at least one of the one or moreelectronic components and over at least a portion of the exposed surfaceor exposed surfaces of the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 3-7, to optionallyinclude the coating being applied over all of the one or more electroniccomponents and all or substantially all of the exposed surface orexposed surfaces of the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 3-9, tooptionally include the coating comprising at least one ofpoly(p-xylylene), polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene,ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polyether ether ketone, nylon,phenolic epoxy, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, and post-consumercommingled polymer.

EMBODIMENT 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-10, tooptionally include the flexible substrate comprising at least one of apolyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), a polycarbonate, glass, and Kapton.

EMBODIMENT 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-11, tooptionally include the one or more metallization layers comprising oneor more interconnects for electrically connecting a first one of the oneor more electronic components to a second one of the one or moreelectronic components.

EMBODIMENT 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-12, tooptionally include the one or more metallization layers comprising oneor more interconnects for electrically connecting a first one of the oneor more electronic components to an external electronic device.

EMBODIMENT 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-13, tooptionally include a form factor for input/output connections andpower/ground connections for each of the one or more electroniccomponents is a standard or uniform form factor regardless of individualfunctionality, die design, or substrate design of a particularelectronic component.

EMBODIMENT 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-14, tooptionally include the electronic coupling between a first one of theone or more electronic components and the one or more metallizationlayer comprising at least one of a releasable connecter, a socket, and asnapping configuration.

EMBODIMENT 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-15, tooptionally include the one or more electronic components comprising atleast one of a sensor, a display component, a communication component, aprocessor, a memory, a system bus, and a power device.

EMBODIMENT 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-16, tooptionally include the one or more electronic components including atleast one sensor comprising at least one of biometric sensor, at leastone orientation sensor, at least one position sensor, and lease onelocation sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, and anenvironmental sensor.

EMBODIMENT 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-17, to includesubject matter (such as an apparatus, a device, a method, or one or moremeans for performing acts), such as can include a system comprising afabric layer and an electronic device. The electronic device cancomprise a flexible substrate coupled to the fabric layer, one or moremetallization layers deposited on the flexible substrate, and one ormore electronic components electrically coupled to the one or moremetallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 18, to optionally include a second fabriclayer coupled to the fabric layer.

EMBODIMENT 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 18, to optionally include the electronicdevice being positioned between the fabric layer and the second fabriclayer.

EMBODIMENT 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-20, tooptionally include a coating applied over at least one of one or more ofthe electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 21, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to the one or moreelectronic components.

EMBODIMENT 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 21 and 22, to optionallyinclude the coating being configured to provide environmental protectionto the one or more electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-23, tooptionally include a coating applied over at least a portion of anexposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 24, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to at least the portion ofthe exposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 24 and 25, to optionallyinclude the coating being configured to provide environmental protectionto at least the portion of the exposed surface or exposed surfaces ofthe one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 22-26, tooptionally include the coating being applied over at least one of theone or more electronic components and over at least a portion of theexposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 28 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 22-26, tooptionally include the coating being applied over all of the one or moreelectronic components and all or substantially all of the exposedsurface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 29 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 21-28, tooptionally include the coating comprising at least one ofpoly(p-xylylene), polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene,ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polyether ether ketone, nylon,phenolic epoxy, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, and post-consumercommingled polymer.

EMBODIMENT 30 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-29, tooptionally include the flexible substrate comprising at least one of apolyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate(PEN), a polycarbonate, glass, and Kapton.

EMBODIMENT 31 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-30, tooptionally include the one or more metallization layers comprising oneor more interconnects for electrically connecting a first one of the oneor more electronic components to a second one of the one or moreelectronic components.

EMBODIMENT 32 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-31, tooptionally include the one or more metallization layers comprising oneor more interconnects for electrically connecting a first one of the oneor more electronic components to an external electronic device.

EMBODIMENT 33 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-32, tooptionally include a form factor for input/output connections andpower/ground connections for each of the one or more electroniccomponents is a standard or uniform form factor regardless of individualfunctionality, die design, or substrate design of a particularelectronic component.

EMBODIMENT 34 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-35, tooptionally include the electronic coupling between a first one of theone or more electronic components and the one or more metallizationlayer comprising at least one of a releasable connecter, a socket, and asnapping configuration.

EMBODIMENT 35 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-34, tooptionally include the one or more electronic components comprising atleast one of a sensor, a display component, a communication component, aprocessor, a memory, a system bus, and a power device.

EMBODIMENT 36 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-35, tooptionally include the one or more electronic components including atleast one sensor comprising at least one of biometric sensor, at leastone orientation sensor, at least one position sensor, and lease onelocation sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, and anenvironmental sensor.

EMBODIMENT 37 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-36, tooptionally include the fabric layer forming at least a part of anarticle of clothing.

EMBODIMENT 38 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-37, tooptionally include the fabric layer forming at least a part of anarticle of furniture.

EMBODIMENT 39 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-38, tooptionally include the fabric layer forming at least a part of anarticle of luggage.

EMBODIMENT 40 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 18-39, tooptionally include the electronic device comprising at least one of asensor, a display device, a computer input device, a communicationdevice, a processor, a memory, and a power device.

EMBODIMENT 41 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 1-40, to includesubject matter (such as an apparatus, a device, a method, or one or moremeans for performing acts), such as can include a system comprising anarticle comprising one or more fabric layers, a plurality of electronicdevices, each being incorporated into or onto one of the one or morefabric layers, and one or more communication links between two or moreof the plurality of electronic devices.

EMBODIMENT 42 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 41, to optionally include the electronicdevice comprising a flexible substrate coupled to the fabric layer.

EMBODIMENT 43 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 42, to optionally include the flexiblesubstrate comprising at least one of a polyimide, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a polycarbonate,glass, and Kapton.

EMBODIMENT 44 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 42 and 43, tooptionally include the electronic device comprising one or moremetallization layers deposited on the flexible substrate.

EMBODIMENT 45 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 44, to optionally include the one or moremetallization layers comprising one or more interconnects forelectrically connecting a first one of the one or more electroniccomponents to a second one of the one or more electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 46 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 44 and 45, tooptionally include the one or more metallization layers comprising oneor more interconnects for electrically connecting a first one of the oneor more electronic components to an external electronic device.

EMBODIMENT 47 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 44-46, tooptionally include the electronic device comprising one or moreelectronic components electrically coupled to the one or moremetallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 48 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 47, to optionally include the electroniccoupling between a first one of the one or more electronic componentsand the one or more metallization layer comprising at least one of areleasable connecter, a socket, and a snapping configuration.

EMBODIMENT 49 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 47 and 48, tooptionally include the electronic device comprising a coating appliedover at least one of one or more of the electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 50 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 49, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to the one or moreelectronic components.

EMBODIMENT 51 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 49 and 50, to optionallyinclude the coating being configured to provide environmental protectionto the one or more electronic components.

EMBODIMENT 52 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 47-51, tooptionally include the electronic device comprising a coating appliedover at least a portion of an exposed surface or exposed surfaces of theone or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 53 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of EMBODIMENT 52, to optionally include the coating beingconfigured to provide mechanical protection to at least the portion ofthe exposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 54 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or both of EMBODIMENTS 52 and 53, to optionallyinclude the coating being configured to provide environmental protectionto at least the portion of the exposed surface or exposed surfaces ofthe one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 55 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 50-54, tooptionally include the coating being applied over at least one of theone or more electronic components and over at least a portion of theexposed surface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallizationlayers.

EMBODIMENT 56 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 50-55, tooptionally include the coating being applied over all of the one or moreelectronic components and all or substantially all of the exposedsurface or exposed surfaces of the one or more metallization layers.

EMBODIMENT 57 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 49-56, tooptionally include the coating comprising at least one ofpoly(p-xylylene), polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene,ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polyether ether ketone, nylon,phenolic epoxy, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, and post-consumercommingled polymer.

EMBODIMENT 58 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-57, tooptionally include the one or more communication links comprising awired communication link.

EMBODIMENT 59 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-58, tooptionally include the one or more communication links comprising awireless communication link.

EMBODIMENT 60 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-59, tooptionally include the article comprising a clothing article.

EMBODIMENT 61 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-60, tooptionally include the article comprising a luggage article.

EMBODIMENT 62 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-61, tooptionally include the article comprising a furniture article.

EMBODIMENT 63 can include, or can optionally be combined with thesubject matter of one or any combination of EMBODIMENTS 41-62, tooptionally include the plurality of electronic devices comprising atleast one of a sensor, a display device, a computer input device, acommunication device, a processor, a memory, and a power device.

These and other examples and features of the present electronic device,solder compositions, and related methods will be set forth in part inthe following detailed description. This overview is intended to providenon-limiting examples of the present subject matter—it is not intendedto provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation. The detaileddescription below is included to provide further information about thepresent molds, mold systems, and methods.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combinedwith each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope ofthe invention should be determined with reference to the appendedclaims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claimsare entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a flexiblesubstrate configured to be mountable to a fabric layer; one or moremetallization layers deposited on the flexible substrate; and aplurality of electronic components electrically coupled to the one ormore metallization layers, each electronic component comprising at leastone of input/output connections and power/ground connections, wherein aform factor for the at least one of the input/output connections and thepower/ground connections for each of the plurality of electroniccomponents is a standard or uniform form factor regardless of individualfunctionality, die design, or substrate design of the particularelectronic component.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising a coating applied over at least a portion of at least one ofthe plurality of electronic components and at least a portion of the oneor more metallization layers, wherein the coating is configured toprovide at least one of mechanical protection and environmentalprotection to the at least one of the plurality of electronic componentsor to at least the portion of the one or more metallization layers towhich the coating is applied.
 3. The electronic device of claim 2,wherein the coating comprises at least one of poly(p-xylylene),polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, ethylene-methylmethacrylate copolymer, polyether ether ketone, nylon, phenolic epoxy,ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, and post-consumer commingled polymer. 4.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the flexible substratecomprises at least one of a polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET),polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a polycarbonate, glass, and Kapton. 5.The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more metallizationlayers comprise one or more interconnects for electrically connecting afirst one of the plurality of electronic components to at least one of asecond one of the plurality of electronic components and an externalelectronic device.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinelectronic coupling between a first one of the plurality of electroniccomponents and the one or more metallization layer comprises at leastone of a releasable connecter, a socket, and a snapping configuration.7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electroniccomponents comprise at least one of a sensor, a display component, acommunication component, a processor, a memory, a system bus, and apower device.
 8. A system comprising: a fabric layer; and an electronicdevice comprising; a flexible substrate coupled to the fabric layer; oneor more metallization layers deposited on the flexible substrate; and aplurality of electronic components electrically coupled to the one ormore metallization layers, each electronic component comprising at leastone of input/output connections and power/ground connections wherein aform factor for the at least one of the input/output connections and thepower/ground connections for each of the plurality of electroniccomponents is a standard or uniform form factor regardless of individualfunctionality, die design, or substrate design of the particularelectronic component.
 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising asecond fabric layer coupled to the fabric layer, wherein the electronicdevice is positioned between the fabric layer and the second fabriclayer.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic device furthercomprises a coating applied over at least one of the plurality ofelectronic components and at least a portion of the one or moremetallization layers, wherein the coating is configured to provide atleast one of mechanical protection and environmental protection to theat least one of the plurality of electronic components or to at leastthe portion of the one or more metallization layers to which the coatingis applied.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the coating comprises atleast one of poly(p-xylylene), polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate,polypropylene, ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, polyether etherketone, nylon, phenolic epoxy, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, andpost-consumer commingled polymer.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein theflexible substrate comprises at least one of a polyimide, polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a polycarbonate,glass, and Kapton.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the fabric layerforms at least part of an article of clothing, an article of luggage, oran article of furniture.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein theelectronic device comprises at least one of a sensor, a display device,a computer input device, a communication device, a processor, a memory,and a power device.
 15. A system comprising: an article comprising oneor more fabric layers; a plurality of electronic devices, each beingincorporated into or onto one of the one or more fabric layers, each ofthe electronic devices comprising; a flexible substrate coupled to thefabric layer; one or more metallization layers deposited on the flexiblesubstrate; and a plurality of electronic components electrically coupledto the one or more metallization layers, each electronic componentcomprising at least one of input/output connections and power/ roundconnections, wherein a form factor for the at least one of theinput/output connections and the power/ground connections for each ofthe plurality of electronic components is a standard or uniform formfactor regardless of individual functionality, die design, or substratedesign of the particular electronic component; and one or morecommunication links between two or more of the plurality of electronicdevices.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of electronicdevices comprise at least one of a sensor, a display device, a computerinput device, a communication device, a processor, a memory, and a powerdevice.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or morecommunication links comprises one or more of at least one wiredcommunication link and at least one wireless communication link.
 18. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the article comprises a clothing article, aluggage article, or a furniture article.